15 Must-Try Barbecue Restaurants In Knoxville, Tennessee

Knoxville’s barbecue scene sizzles with Southern charm and smoky delights that’ll make your taste buds dance!

From family-owned joints with decades of pit-smoking wisdom to newer spots pushing BBQ boundaries, this city knows how to handle meat and fire. Grab your appetite and let’s explore the 15 must-visit barbecue havens where Tennessee tradition meets mouthwatering innovation.

15. Dead End BBQ

Wrong turns don’t exist on Sutherland Avenue when the air smells of hickory smoke. Burnt ends arrive with bark that crunches just enough before dissolving into rich, smoky tenderness.

Since 2009, locals have lined up for ribs cooked to that sweet spot – firm enough to hold, yet yielding with a gentle tug. Creamy mac ’n’ cheese slides in as the ultimate sidekick, its buttery aroma curling around plates stacked with barbecue glory.

14. Sweet P’s Uptown Corner

Hidden in Fountain City, Sweet P’s delivers soul-satisfying pulled pork that’s been smoked to perfection. The meat practically surrenders at first bite!

Though their downtown Dive location closed, this spot keeps the flame alive with brisket that sports that gorgeous pink smoke ring. Their banana pudding? Simply legendary – creamy, sweet, and the perfect finale to your BBQ feast.

13. Calhoun’s On The River

Scenery pairs with smoke along the Tennessee River at Calhoun’s, where hickory-rubbed ribs meet postcard views. The patio transforms supper into a small celebration, especially as sunset paints the water in molten gold.

Pork plates arrive piled high, each bite tender and perfumed with just enough smoky kiss to capture Knoxville’s signature flavor.

12. Calhoun’s Bearden Hill

Baby backs reign supreme at this West Knoxville staple, each rack pampered in slow smoke until the meat yields with the lightest pull.

The dining room hums with chatter, the scent of oak and spice hanging in the air as servers balance platters stacked with smoked chicken. At the bar, a frosty brew in hand makes waiting for the feast feel less like patience and more like ritual – hard to imagine a better prelude to barbecue bliss.

11. Calhoun’s Turkey Creek

Retail therapy pairs perfectly with smoky comfort at this Turkey Creek gem. Rib combos answer indecisive cravings with plates piled high in “one-of-everything” glory.

Portions stay generous, service stays sharp, and the aroma of hickory clings to the air like a promise. Whatever secret keeps those platters consistently stellar remains locked in the kitchen, but taste buds will be far too busy celebrating to demand answers.

10. Buddy’s Bar-B-Q (Bearden)

Since 1972, Buddy’s has schooled Knoxville on the gospel of chopped pork. Sandwiches arrive stacked with tender meat kissed by smoke since sunrise, each bite rich with tradition.

Wings pack a smoky-spicy punch that lingers just long enough to spark a grin. For the truest Tennessee touch, hushpuppies join the feast – golden-fried cornmeal nuggets that smell of comfort and pair with barbecue like lifelong friends.

9. Buddy’s Bar-B-Q (North Broadway)

Convenience pairs with smoke at this North Knoxville drive-thru treasure. Rib dinners come loaded with meat so tender it nearly falls into a smile.

Hawg Back fries steal the show – crispy spuds buried under pulled pork, melted cheese, and tangy house sauce, the aroma alone enough to tempt traffic off the road. Even in a rush, the speedy drive-thru delivers championship barbecue straight to your car window, no seatbelt sacrifice required.

8. Jim ‘N Nick’s Bar-B-Q

Those warm cheese biscuits should be illegal – they’ll have you plotting your next visit before you’ve even ordered! Though newer to Knoxville’s scene, Jim ‘N Nick’s has quickly earned respect from local BBQ connoisseurs.

Their Carolina-style pork brings vinegar tang that cuts through rich smokiness perfectly. Feeling poultry-minded? The pit-smoked turkey maintains its juiciness while soaking up all that wonderful wood-fired flavor.

7. Famous Dave’s

Some chains truly earn their stripes, and Famous Dave’s proves it with St. Louis ribs that justify the buzz even in Knoxville’s crowded barbecue scene.

Burnt ends vanish in seconds – smoky, caramelized nuggets that perfume the air with pure brisket bliss. Southside rib tips keep things primal, a handheld feast for anyone who delights in savoring every last morsel clinging to the bone.

6. The Humble Hog

Chef-driven smokehouse magic shines brightest in sticky ribs that could start their own cult, sweet, spicy, and messy enough to coax involuntary grins.

Pastrami rivals anything from New York delis, while a BBQ banh mi layers pit master craft with global flair, the aroma alone enough to turn heads. Even dessert joins the fun, with banana pudding reimagined into an artisanal finale that leaves spoons scraping the bowl.

5. Love That BBQ

South Knoxville’s no-frills treasure proves amazing BBQ doesn’t need fancy digs! Their rib plates arrive with meat that’s been smoking since before sunrise.

The chopped pork sandwich comes piled high enough to make you wonder how to tackle it. Should you use a knife and fork or unhinge your jaw? Either way, the straightforward counter service and focus on meat mastery make this spot a true local gem.

4. Smokehouse 228 On The Water

Lakeside barbecue doubles as a mini escape, with South Knox pork plates served against shimmering marina views. Wings soak up smoke low and slow before flames finish them off, crackling outside while juices run free inside.

Each bite mingles with the scent of hickory and lake breeze, and between forkfuls, boats glide past, layering a sense of calm few barbecue spots can rival.

3. Hardwood BBQ

Hidden inside SoKno Market, this gem shows that unforgettable barbecue doesn’t need a flashy stage. Ribs arrive with a blush of pink smoke ring that makes enthusiasts sigh before the first bite.

Pulled pork collapses at the lightest nudge of a fork, juices perfuming the air with hickory warmth. Wings hold their own spotlight – rubbed, smoked, and crisped to perfection – proof that tradition and simplicity still rule the pit.

2. The Smoke Yards

Barbecue takes center stage at this open-air pavilion, where rotating pitmasters treat Texas brisket like a sacred craft. Spare ribs arrive with bark so perfect it crunches like a promise, giving way to smoky tenderness beneath.

Whole-hog roasts here feel closer to ceremony than supper, the air thick with spice and anticipation. Schedules shift with the smoke, so a quick check is wise – but once that plume curls skyward, every instinct says follow.

1. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Sometimes reliability hits the spot! This Texas chain’s Hardin Valley location delivers consistent brisket with that telltale smoke ring BBQ aficionados crave.

Their jalapeño cheddar kielbasa brings unexpected heat and cheese to the party – a welcome twist on traditional offerings. Need to feed a crowd? Their catering packages rescue office gatherings from sad sandwich platters, bringing smoky Texas tradition to Knoxville gatherings without missing a beat.